MIT Sloan Management Review Article on Five Ways Leaders Can Turn Pushback Into Progress

Effectively responding to pushback may well rank as one of the most important competencies that leaders can possess, and it’s especially critical during times of transition, like returning to the office post-pandemic. Such resistance to an organizational policy, directive, or decision can take many forms, ranging from voicing concerns and raising questions to active opposition and sabotage.

Effective leaders think of pushback as an opportunity to boost their team’s learning while moving their organization forward. The objective should be to increase people’s understanding and build support by tempering both advocate enthusiasm and contrarian pessimism. This deeper level of understanding, while not necessarily satisfying to all in the moment, fosters a climate of candor, humility, adaptation, and trust, thereby subtly steering pushback away from latent disruptive tendencies.

About the Author

Phillip G. Clampitt is the Blair Endowed Chair in Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Bob DeKoch is the founder of leadership consulting firm Limitless and former president of the Boldt Co. They are the coauthors of Leading with Care in a Tough World (Rodin Books, 2022).

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